#28. Skim, by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki

[whereweather.livejournal.com]

 #28.  Skim, Mariko Tamaki (writing) and Jillian Tamaki (art)
2008, Groundwood Books

Another book that I found through reviews on this comm.   (Thanks again to all of you: you keep leading me to wonderful books.)

I enjoyed the book for many of the same reasons others did, especially those mentioned by kyuuketsukirui, sanguinity and [Bad username or unknown identity: puritybrown .]   As regards the art style, I also loved, as someone else mentioned, that it clearly evokes Japanese aesthetics and the Japanese artistic tradition... but the influences it draws on are not manga.  There's something about that, especially given the often troubling aspects of gender representation in mainstream manga (I'm thinking of exaggerated gender dimorphism, neoteny, and hypersexualization), that I found profoundly refreshing and even kind of inspiring.

Very highly recommended.  I'm putting Mariko Tamaki's other graphic work, Emiko Superstar, on my to-read list, and I'd love to see other work from Jillian Tamaki.  (Actually... let's see.  Her website is here, there's an interesting illustrated interview with her here, and I see mention of a 2006 book called Gilded Lilies.  Has anyone read it?)

[Tags I would add if I could: spirituality (or: religion/spirituality), high school]

Hey, by the way: [Bad username or unknown identity: puritybrown , ]did you ever send the Tamakis that fan letter?

Comments

[puritybrown.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! Noooo, I would be much too embarrassed! I did review Skim for The Irish Times, though, which might have helped their sales.

[whereweather.livejournal.com]

oh wow! that's pretty awesome.

dude, i would totally write the fan letter if i were you. i mean, you're a friendly reviewer and everything! i'm sure they would be delighted.